Workshops and Webinars

NYCOM makes a concerted effort to bring our training events to our members by offering one-day and half-day workshops held around the state on a variety of topics. Recent workshops -- and also webinars -- have been presented on the following topics:

Special Topics in ProcurementFriday, December 7, 2018 (10:00-11:00 a.m.) | AlbanyThis session will provide an overview of two important exception to competitive bidding: sole source and professional services. Using hypothetical scenarios, this session will illustrate the limited application of these alternatives to competitive bidding.Presented by: Rebecca Ruscito, NYCOM CounselCLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION

2018 PLANNING AND ZONING WEBINARS (CLE)

All four Planning and Zoning webinars will be recorded. Once the webinars series is completed, all the webinars will be available to be viewed the week of December 3rd. If you were unable to register for the live webinars but need EOA, CLE or Planning and Zoning Credits, you will still be eligible to receive these credits while viewing the recorded versions of this series.

Annual Planning & Zoning Training Requirement: Note that each webinar will last one hour. If your city or village allows webinars as a valid form of training, individuals who participate in each of the four webinars will satisfy the State’s four-hour annual training requirement for planning board and ZBA members.

Each webinar is eligible for one hour of CLE credit in the Area of Professional Practice. Attorneys wishing to obtain one hour of CLE credit for participating in this webinar MUST PRE-REGISTER. This CLE course contains new content for 2018 and is not a “repeat” course for purposes of the NYS CLE Board's “no repeat” rule. In addition, this CLE Course is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys and is a permissible format for newly admitted attorneys. For a copy of NYCOM's CLE Financial Hardship Policy, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.at (518) 463-1185 *CLE and Planning and Zoning Credits will be distributed upon completion of this four-part webinar series.

CLOSED - Meetings, Minutes and Public Hearings (CLE) | Tuesday, October 30, 2018 | 10:30 - 11:30 A.M.ZBA and planning board training generally revolves around substantive issues such as special use permits, transportation oriented developments, or dealing with solar panels. However, it is paramount that ZBA and planning board members also be trained on procedure. Consequently, this session will provide an overview of the requirements of the NYS Open Meetings Law, including notice of meetings, public participation, and minutes. Public hearings will also be covered, addressing how public hearings are similar to and different from meetings. Finally, the importance of having written rules of procedure will by highlighted.The cost of participating in this webinar is $25 for members and $75 for non-members.

CLOSED - SEQR for ZBA's and Planning Boards (CLE) | Tuesday, November 13, 2018 | 10:30 - 11:30 A.M.The New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) plays a significant role in ZBA and planning board determinations. Before any ZBA or planning board may issue an approval, the ZBA and planning board must comply with SEQR. The first major amendments to SEQR since the 1990s were adopted this year and go into effect January 1, 2019. This session will provide an overview of the SEQR process, highlighting the recent amendments. The webinar will also include a discussion of how ZBAs and planning boards may comply with its requirements, including using the Department of Environmental Conservation’s EAF mapper.The cost of participating in this webinar is $25 for members and $75 for non-members.

Siting Small Cell Towers: An FCC Regulations Update (CLE) | Tuesday, November 20, 2018 | 10:30 - 11:30 A.M.Small cells are here and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is promulgating rules regarding their siting that, if not successfully challenged in court, will substantially impact how local governments may regulate the siting of small cell technology. This session will provide an update on the latest FCC regulations.The cost of participating in this webinar is $25 for members and $75 for non-members. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

SOLD OUT - Ethics for Planning and Zoning Officials (CLE) | Tuesday, November 27, 2018 | 10:30 - 11:30 A.M.Ethics in government is a hot topic with daily news headlines highlighting ethical lapses by officials at all levels of government. The land use decision making processes can be an ethics mine field for the public officials responsible for making those determinations. Consequently, it is imperative for every ZBA and planning board member to understand the ethics laws relevant to their offices. This webinar will provide an overview of applicable New York State laws regarding conflicts of interest and incompatibility of office. The presentation will cover when ZBA and planning board members should recuse themselves from participating on matters before the board and when individuals may not serve on a ZBA or planning board. The webinar will conclude with a discussion of codes of ethics and local ethics boards.The cost of participating in this webinar is $25 for members and $75 for non-members.

VILLAGE ELECTIONS WEBINAR (CLE)

This webinar is eligible for one hour of CLE credit in the Area of Professional Practice. Attorneys wishing to obtain one hour of CLE credit for participating in this webinar MUST PRE-REGISTER. This CLE Course is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys and is a permissible format for newly admitted attorneys. For a copy of NYCOM's CLE Financial Hardship Policy, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at (518) 463-1185. *CLE Credits will be distributed upon completion of the webinar series.

The Village Elections Webinar Series is a two-part training session divided into two 1-hour segments about the village elections process. Part I will be held on Monday, December 3rd and Part II will be held on Wednesday, December 5th.

PART 1 - Monday, December 3, 2018 | 10:30 - 11:30 A.M.Part I will cover the most common village election issues including, the village clerk’s duties, how candidates get on the ballot, how to prepare the ballot, Election Day procedures, and post canvass processes. Due to time constraints, the Village Elections Webinar will cover only a portion of the information that will be presented at the regional workshop.The cost of participating in this webinar is $25 per person ($75 per person for non-members). All municipalities will be billed after the completion of the series. There is no need to pay in advance. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

The cost of participating in this webinar is $25 per person ($75 per person for non-members). All municipalities will be billed after the completion of the series. There is no need to pay in advance. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Recorded NYCOM Webinar Presentations:

Show Me the Money: Understanding the REDC and CFA Process | New York State's Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process, in conjunction with​ your municipality's Regional Economic Development Council​(REDC)​, provides a critically​ important means of accessing state funding for key municipal projects. ​Each year, New York State awards millions of dollars in grant money to hundreds of projects across ten regions. ​In order to access this money, however, you need to understand how the process works and how you can become an active participant in that process. This webinar will provide you with that very information, including an overview of the purpose and role of the REDCs, a summary of the CFA itself, a discussion of the key programs administered by the Department of State that are most relevant to local governments, and some examples of successful projects – particularly from smaller communities – that have been funded through this process in the past. Please note that the deadline to apply for funding through the CFA is July 27th at 4:00 p.m.​ There is no fee for this webinar.CLICK HERE TO VIEW WEBINAR.

The Roles and Responsibilities of Municipal Officials | To effectively perform their jobs, local government officials must become experts in a variety of topics, while at the same time complying with a myriad of legal restrictions imposed by the state. This session will give an overview of how New York’s local governments are structured and what the roles and responsibilities are of various local government officials. Finally, the webinar will conclude with a discussion of some of the frequent pitfalls of holding local office. CLICK HERE TO VIEW WEBINAR (passcode required).

Open Meetings Law | This webinar will cover the Open Meetings Law and the importance of adopting meeting procedures and taking meeting minutes. Public hearings will also be discussed. The presentation will conclude with a brief overview of the process for enacting local legislation. CLICK HERE TO VIEW WEBINAR (passcode required).

Municipal Finance Fundamentals | This session is designed to help facilitate your understanding of some of the most critical elements of municipal finance, including: property taxes and the tax cap; other revenue options; state aid; the budget process; and the expenditure of funds. CLICK HERE TO VIEW WEBINAR (passcode required).

Ethics and Civil Service Essentials | This webinar will address several targeted topics pertaining to municipal ethics and the Civil Service Law. Topics under ethics will include the proper use of municipal equipment, gifts, nepotism and local ethics codes. Civil Service Law topics will address the different types of positions found in local government and their classifications under the Civil Service Law, probationary terms, creating new positions and modifying or adding job duties. CLICK HERE TO VIEW WEBINAR (passcode required).

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. of the NYCOM staff for the webinar passcode.

If you are a NYCOM member and have a topic of interest or would like to host a regional workshop, please contact the NYCOM office.